The 1975
by The 1975
Metascore
67

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
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  1. Absolute Punk (Staff reviews)
    Sep 3, 2013
    95
    Simply put, this record already feels timeless.
  2. musicOMH.com
    Sep 3, 2013
    80
    There is undeniable passion and love infused throughout these songs and, if they tick all the right boxes, they do it magnificently.
  3. AllMusic
    Sep 3, 2013
    80
    Cuts like "The City," "Chocolate," and "Sex" drive and climb like the best anthemic '80s stadium rock, roiling a host of influences into a single distinct sound that, the moment it hits your ears, becomes timeless.
  5. Clash Music
    Aug 30, 2013
    80
    It’s a great pop record with plenty of depth (a rare thing) that will prove divisive.
  6. The Guardian
    Aug 30, 2013
    80
    [The 1975] offer up some memorable songs with some sharp lyrics.
  7. Entertainment Weekly
    Sep 4, 2013
    75
    It's all promising, even if their debut leans harder on style than substance.
  8. The Line of Best Fit
    Aug 30, 2013
    75
    This is pop, pure and simple, and taken as such, is a rollicking pleasure.
  9. PopMatters
    Oct 15, 2013
    70
    The 1975 is far from a perfect album. But in many ways, its flaws are part of its charm.
  10. Alternative Press
    Sep 4, 2013
    70
    They’re successfully anthemic on “She Way Out,” like a nerdy, English version of the Gaslight Anthem. But when they try on modern, digitally glitchy production on “Menswear,” by contrast, it feels (ironically, given the track’s title) like they’re struggling in ill-fitting clothes.
  11. Paste Magazine
    Sep 10, 2013
    69
    If lyrics like, “If you wanna find love / then you know where the city is,” still satisfy some unrequited teenage dreams, then The 1975 should fulfill that naïveté.
  12. Q Magazine
    Jan 27, 2014
    60
    Highly intriguing. [Oct 2013, p.97]
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  13. Consequence
    Oct 4, 2013
    60
    With The 1975, the Manchester group has crafted a skillful pop album that you can listen to while you stare out the window at some dreary weather or while you drive around with the top down, not an easy expanse to cover.
  14. The Independent (UK)
    Aug 30, 2013
    60
    With their lyrical focus on teen sex, money and the misplaced glamour of crime, at times it's like “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun”, for boys.
  15. Pitchfork
    Sep 12, 2013
    59
    Their spit-polished full-length is a throwback to the sort of CD-era pop rock album everyone remembers buying at least once: The one with the re-recorded single surrounded mostly by less-developed, vaguely similar stuff.
  16. Rolling Stone
    Oct 18, 2013
    40
    The LP mostly forces unconvincing emo lyrics into a bloopy 1980s package.
  17. DIY Magazine
    Sep 10, 2013
    40
    It's almost as if the songs were constructed by way of algorithm.
  18. The Independent on Sunday (UK)
    Sep 3, 2013
    40
    It's a Gary Barlow idea of what indie music sounds like.

Awards & Rankings

52
#52 Most Discussed Album of 2013
6
#6 Most Shared Album of 2013

User Reviews

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User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 173 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 143 out of 173
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 173
  3. Negative: 14 out of 173
  1. WadeVS
    Sep 3, 2013
    7
    Here is a band you probably don't realize you have heard and actually love. Whilst their 80's inspired, synth heavy pop sound may be nothingHere is a band you probably don't realize you have heard and actually love. Whilst their 80's inspired, synth heavy pop sound may be nothing original, it honestly just really works. Having released a slew of EPs, though, it seems we've heard all there is to hear from The 1975. At least that it worth hearing. Now familiar tracks like "The City", "Sex" and "Chocolate" are here, nestled quite happily in with some newer tracks. The best part for me is that they know how to pen a pop song that has honest depth to it. Centering on quite often used themes, it has to be said. A really enjoyable listen, though I doubt whether it has the staying power like the truly great albums do.… Full Review »
  2. MichaelDN
    Sep 4, 2013
    9
    This album is rich is musical variety. You'll find yourself drawing comparisons to U2, The Police, UB40, Simple Minds, The Strokes, TheThis album is rich is musical variety. You'll find yourself drawing comparisons to U2, The Police, UB40, Simple Minds, The Strokes, The Killers, and even Cyndi Lauper. Every song is catchy and enjoyable, or otherwise purely visceral, and technically masterful. Matt Healy has to be one of the best vocalists around right now, as well as one of the best lyricists. There are so many clever lines that serve to deliver profound messages, and make you think, or feel. The most enjoyable song to me is probably "Chocolate", but the best song overall has to be "Robbers." This song is an absolute masterpiece, and I don't say that about many songs. A combination of Matt's voice, with a beautiful tone, and powerful, jarring emotion behind it, as well as the devastating lyrics backed by a beautiful track, this song will leave you numb. For the most part though, the album is one of the most enjoyable I've heard in a while, and I will probably find myself pressing replay more times than I'd like to admit on just about all of these songs.… Full Review »
  3. jwomsley
    Dec 17, 2013
    10
    I'v been into this band for coming onto 2years now I first heard of them from a friend who was browsing sound cloud and came upon Robbers byI'v been into this band for coming onto 2years now I first heard of them from a friend who was browsing sound cloud and came upon Robbers by then Drive Like I Do, The thing that caught me from the start was the mix of MJ vibe mixed with a rock bass line. Their songs about drugs to sex to being horny, to being cheated on, cheating on, falling in love, making out, hooking up, flirting, disbelief of god, getting high and the confused teenage mind It is so relate able to people from all walks of life;
    When i heard of the Album to be released i was unsure what to think after seeing them live 3 times so far the fact that they are just original even though every aspect of the band can relate to Pop/ Rock culture. But the fact that they kept the songs which were close to there hearts chocolate, Robbers, Sex and just cleaned them up is great from a fans point of view as i would hate to see them conform to being a 21st century pop band. For me this album is simply unparalleled by anything that has come from England prior. For me the lyrics to each song and the meaning behind them, they were never meant to be heard by more than 100 people at a gig and certainly never meant for the radio which is what makes them so special, so personal. There is a song on there for everyone who can relate to. Take for example "The City" a song written about Manchester yet it is so personal to Matty that you can take the words and adapt them to the city you live in and in your mind that song could easily be written for you with your memories flashing up with each lyric.    … Full Review »
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